Milwaukee & More...

This year for the 4th of July we planned something different. Instead of the lake we were going to visit cousins Steve & Amanda. They come down every year (sometimes twice!) to visit us but it was time: Milwaukee was calling our name.

And did I mention we wouldn't be taking the girls? Oh yeah, that. So we dropped the monkeys off at their grandparents for a few days.

Where they made pizzas, went to the movies, boated at the lake and had fun cousin time themselves. Let's just say the girls love it there so much that they kept asking Mike and I when we were going to leave. Sheesh!

Mike and I first visited his Grandma Betty for several hours. I'm sorry I didn't snap any pics but I was too busy laughing my butt off at Grandma Great. She may not physically be in the best shape but her personality is still full in tact. Limericks and all.

A trip to Janesville wouldn't be complete without a stop at Farm & Fleet and then Woodman's grocery store. They have a liquor section the size of most grocery stores and let me just tell you...Mike was grinning from ear to ear the entire time. The motherload. Check out his grin (and his shopping cart!).

We then drove a few hours to Milwaukee where we learned some amazing news: Steve is an official Doctor of Chiropractics (DC). He finished school a few years ago in Illinois and was licensed there. However, when Steve & Amanda moved to Wisconsin the laws in that state were pretty tight. Long story short, Steve (along with many other graduates and lawyers) fought a battle with their state legislature to change the law. Few years later and he has won the battle. So we had to celebrate, obviously.

Spotted Cow on TAP

The Doctor is in the house!

Fourth of July morning the boys played in a golf tournament, Amanda worked in her studio (she designs and makes bridal gowns) so I had the morning to myself. Steve & Amanda live 3 blocks from Lake Michigan so I knew exactly how I'd spend my morning. I ran a few miles along the lake, did a traveling wod then took a nap in the sun. Perfection.

You can see the Milwaukee city skyline in the background

That evening was spent at Summerfest. It's basically a month long music festival right on the lake.

Shuttle from the bar to the music

We hopped from stage to stage, dancing and singing, eating and drinking, until the main show started: Barenaked Ladies. They were one of my favorite bands in the 90's and I had seen them in concert in 2000 so I knew they put on an incredible show. We danced and laughed until our sides ached. Then we did leaps. Or maybe that was just me. Regardless, it was so much fun. BNL did not disappoint.

The next morning he needed some hair of the dog so we dined rooftop downtown for brunch. And this:

We made our way to the Miller Brewery tour (what's a trip to Milwaukee without this?!).

Sent postcards whilst enjoying post-tour beverages

And simply enjoyed another beautiful day

That evening we joined up with Steve's cousin (on his other side) for a Brewers game. Tailgated for a few hours...who knew you could tailgate at professional sporting events? Not this girl. Only ever done it for collegiate games. I was pumped. Was so fun to catch up with Laura...missed her!

We headed out early Saturday to return to good old Indiana. Laura's son had a big party on his farm and so the girls got to see lots of animals (chickens, llamas, barn cats, etc).

Was good to get home on Sunday and back to our family routine. Missed the girls so much. Got some great pool time in and I can't tell you how funny it is to see this every time we're at the pool:

Izzy just loves her books and magazines (mazahzeens) and takes them everywhere. Parents will come up and tell me how wonderful it is that Izzy is reading at the pool. I just love it. Girl after her mommy's heart.

They finished the rest of our street last week and the girls are getting some good bike riding (and lawn mowing) in.

We ventured to an outdoor concert on Friday night with friends. Hot. Crowded. But it was full of sun, beer and the kids laughing (and wrestling) all through the night.

Three peas in a pod

And a few days ago there was a local CF competition that I spectated at (needed a break and was originally supposed to be out of town). I think watching is just as fun as participating, especially when I had so many friends competing! Jaime crushed the wods, per her usual bad-assery.

Early morning breakfast-ers watching wod-ers

We had some special visitors for brunch on Sunday....the Moosbruggers! Hadn't seen them in a blue moon and was thrilled to spend the entire morning/afternoon with them. There were belly laughs and there were sincere tears...just miss them so much.

Couldn't get these boys out of the pool

I know I have a hundred pictures just like this one, but I just adore these three and love watching them play and swim together. They really are daddy's girls.

And these two are getting more and more brave with each visit to the pool. I believe that the best swim lessons we've given them is simply watching other kids at the pool. Positive peer pressure. Both are swimming under water without floaties (but with us VERY nearby).

And Sunday evening Izzy finally got it; she swam 6 feet to the lane line and back to the edge of the pool. All by herself. And I was beaming with pride (so was she!). This little fish is doing a lot of growing up this summer!